Former President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order aimed at tightening election security, a move that could drastically change how Americans vote.
The order, which Trump insists is designed to ensure elections are “free, fair, and honest,” includes provisions that could result in millions of voters being removed from the rolls.
Stricter Voter Registration Requirements
One of the most controversial aspects of the order requires all voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship when registering for federal elections.
While supporters say this measure is necessary to prevent illegal voting, critics warn that it could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters.
Studies estimate that 21.3 million U.S. citizens of voting age—about 9%—lack readily available proof of citizenship.
Election Day Ballot Deadline Sparks Debate
Trump’s order also demands that all ballots be received by Election Day to be counted, a significant change from current rules in many states.
At present, 18 states and Puerto Rico allow mailed ballots to be counted if they are postmarked by Election Day but arrive later.
This shift is likely to face legal challenges, as election rules are traditionally determined by state governments.
Federal Oversight and Funding Threats
The order calls for stronger collaboration between states and federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration, to identify noncitizens on voter rolls.
It also warns that states failing to comply with the new regulations could lose federal funding.
While Republicans argue that these measures restore trust in the electoral process, voting rights groups say they represent federal overreach and could suppress voter participation.
Legal Challenges on the Horizon
Given that the U.S. Constitution grants states the authority to regulate their own elections, legal experts predict this order will face immediate court challenges.
The Justice Department has yet to comment on how it plans to enforce the directive, but critics argue that federal intervention in state-run elections will lead to lengthy legal battles.
A Longstanding Battle Over Election Integrity
Trump has long expressed skepticism about election security, particularly mail-in voting, which he has repeatedly claimed is vulnerable to fraud—despite a lack of substantial evidence supporting these claims.
The new executive order bypasses Congress, pushing forward policies similar to those proposed in the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act (SAVE Act), a bill that has yet to pass.
Potential Impact on Women and Name Changes
Another concern is how the proof-of-citizenship requirement could impact women who have changed their last names after marriage.
Some states, such as New Hampshire, have already experienced voter registration issues due to discrepancies between birth certificates and married names.
Critics argue this could create unnecessary barriers for eligible voters.
Election Technology Under Scrutiny
The order also takes aim at certain voting systems, directing the Election Assistance Commission to ensure that ballots using barcodes or QR codes in vote counting are phased out.
This could impact states like Georgia, where many in-person voters use machines that print ballots with QR codes for scanning.
It remains unclear how Georgia and other states using similar technology will respond to this directive.
Mixed Reactions From Officials and Advocates
Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger welcomed the executive order, calling it a “great first step for election integrity reform nationwide.
” Meanwhile, Trump ally and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell quickly used the announcement as a fundraising opportunity, claiming the order would “fix our sick elections.”
The Republican National Committee’s Nationwide Probe
Coinciding with Trump’s executive order, the Republican National Committee has launched an investigation into how states manage their voter rolls.
The committee has sent records requests to 48 states and Washington, D.C., seeking transparency on how states remove ineligible voters, including deceased individuals and noncitizens.
What Comes Next?
As Trump signed the order, he declared, “This will end [election fraud], hopefully.”
However, with legal challenges imminent and voting rights advocates pushing back, the future of these sweeping changes remains uncertain.
More election-related actions are expected in the coming weeks, setting the stage for what could be a heated legal and political battle over voting rights in America.